Have you heard of the Hoop-Dee-Doo? This two-hour long dinner show is long standing (over 40 years running!) and takes place nightly at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. I recently had the opportunity to attend the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue. Keep reading for more details and my honest thoughts about the production and food. Namely is the Hoop Dee Doo Revue worth the cost? Keep reading for my Hoop Dee Doo review.

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Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue

High quality song and dance routines you’ve come to expect from Disney? Check. Buckets of hearty and delicious food? You’ve got it. Silly jokes that are family appropriate. Yep!

That’s the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue in a nutshell. My family and I have now attended the Hoop Dee Doo twice on separate Disney World vacations. It’s such a fun experience I can see how families return on every visit.

It’s a 2-hour dinner show so be prepared for a slower dining experience than you might be used to at Disney World. You’ll also need to allow plenty of travel time to and from Fort Wilderness. If planning to see Hoop-Dee-Doo schedule it for a non-park day when you don’t have tickets.

(Photo Credit: Disney PhotoPass)

Advance Dining Reservations Required

Despite over 40 years running, the Hoop-Dee-Doo is still a hot ticket. You’ll need an ADR (Advance Dining Reservation) to dine here. I visited Walt Disney World during a slower season (in mid-April) and our show was still fully booked.

There are three shows nightly, seven days a week. Show times are 4 pm, 6:15 pm and 8:30 pm.

The Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue dinner show is a longstanding tradition (over 40 years!)

Since this meal and a show have a set price, you’ll be charged up front once you make the reservation. The price you pay includes tax and gratuity. On my first visit I was attending with my preschooler and just-turned-one year old baby. Any child 2 and under do not require a ticket but I did put her on the reservation so they could make room at the table for the highchair. The second time we went to the Hoop-Dee-Doo, it was with all four of my kids and my mother-in-law.

There are three category levels. I wanted to be close to the stage, so I chose Category 1 on the main floor for both visits. Once we were in the center of the room and the next time we were closer to the stage but off to the side. Honestly, both locations were great and we could see all the action. I have read online that some of the chairs and tables upstairs face the wall. Guests need to turn around each time they want to see the stage.

The set menu for the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue at Disney World (leave room for dessert!)

Getting to the Hoop Dee Doo

Wondering how to get to the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue? Since there is no direct bus route from your Resort Hotel to Fort Wilderness, you’ll need to transfer at one of the Parks. Be sure to allow plenty of time because the bus rides can be lengthy.

Our first visit I chose to take the ferry from Magic Kingdom to get to Fort Wilderness. We arrived plenty early (about 3 hours before the show started) and there was no wait for the ferry. The Disney World website recommends you allow up to 90 minutes for this process.

The second visit we had spent the first part of the day at Typhoon Lagoon water park. Rather than take a bus to Disney Springs and then transfer to another bus that would go to Fort Wilderness, we chose to take a Lyft. We still had to ride an internal resort bus to reach the dining hall, but it was a quick ride.

Ready to explore Fort Wilderness

Arrive Early to Play and Explore Fort Wilderness

It’s recommended that you arrive at least 30 minutes before the Hoop-Dee-Doo show begins but I think you should arrive even earlier.

We choose to take the ferry from Magic Kingdom Park, leaving just after 3 pm for the 6:15 pm show. It was our first visit to Fort Wilderness and we were in awe of the tall, shady trees and country vibe. Taking the ferry was a delightful and relaxing way to get there.

Horsedrawn carriages at Fort Wilderness

Once we arrived, we wandered the grounds for a bit, getting a feel of the woodsy location. The Hoop-Dee-Doo takes place inside Pioneer Hall. Inside this same large building is the Trails End Restaurant, Davy Crockett’s Wilderness Arcade and Crockett’s Tavern. The restrooms are just to the left of the Pioneer Hall front entrance.

Settlement Trading Post at Walt Disney World Fort Wilderness

A short walk away is the Settlement Trading Post, perfect if you’re looking for a souvenir. There is also a gated playground for kids to run around in and play. My preschooler spent a good amount of time on the playground while the baby slept in her stroller.

Wander down the path past Pioneer Hall to see the Tri-Circle-D Ranch. By the time we walked back there, the Ranch was already closed. Guests can visit with the horses and even take a pony ride (for a fee). Horse-drawn carriage rides are available for groups. Mickey’s Backyard BBQ takes place at Fort Wilderness as well.

When leaving for the night, you can choose to take the ferry back to the Magic Kingdom or there are buses available to the Park. Keep walking past the Ranch to catch a bus. Note that you’ll have to go back to Magic Kingdom and from there, get the bus back to your resort (FYI: it’s a LONG trip!)

PhotoPass Photographers

There were several PhotoPass photographers on the Fort Wilderness grounds available for special photo ops. We had our picture taken in front of the Settlement Trading Post.

(Photo Credit: Disney PhotoPass)

Before admittance to the Hoop-Dee-Doo show, photographers were stationed on the grass in front of the Ranch. Thank goodness for the shade because it was mighty hot in the sunshine! They had some cute props for us to use. There are several other fun photo spots around the front of Pioneer Hall so be sure to take your camera!

Take advantage of PhotoPass photographers before entering Pioneer Hall

All-You-Care-to-Eat at the Hoop Dee Doo

When we walked into the Hall, our tables were already set with salad and corn bread. We dug in right away but I held off on eating too much salad because I wanted to save room for the main course.

I’d love to say that we ate everything and ordered more but we hardly made a dent in the plentiful food! Everything was delicious and I wished I had a bottomless stomach to eat it all. During my first visit, I’d wished that my teens had been with me. But as the only adult traveling with a preschooler and a baby, we just couldn’t eat a lot!

On our second visit, my teenagers were ALL IN on the delicious food and we polished off an entire bucket of chicken and ribs. The waiter did bring more chicken, it was really good.

Chicken, ribs and all the fixin’s for dinner at the Hoop-Dee-Doo (Photo Credit: Disney)

Also, I knew that I wanted to at least make an attempt at dessert! The strawberry shortcake dessert is presented in a grand way and it doesn’t disappoint. Sadly we couldn’t finish it either, though we tried!

If you’re on a vegetarian or on a special diet, be sure to mention this when making your reservation. There are certain accommodations that can be made to the menu.

All-You-Care-to-Drink?

Included in the meal are unlimited drinks. This includes soft drinks as well as draft beer, wine and sangria for those 21 and up.

On my first visit to the Hoop-Dee-Doo I questioned the true “unlimited” nature of the alcoholic drinks however. My waiter had made only 3 stops at the table so I’m not sure how often one could reorder drinks. I’d ordered a white sangria when he first came and asked for drink requests. I’d reordered when he returned with the food and asked if I wanted another drink. By the time he came back with dessert, alcoholic drink orders were closed.

Truthfully the white sangria was absolutely delicious and very refreshing. It was also very strong for me (perhaps I’m a lightweight!) It didn’t bother me that I couldn’t reorder. I know that having “unlimited” draft beer would be a draw for my husband to attend this dinner and it’s a definite perk.

On my second visit to the restaurant, the waiter kept our drinks filled without us even having to ask. In fact, my mother-in-law still had a nearly full sangria and he brought her a second one!

Chowing down (the foods a’plenty) at the Hoop-Dee-Doo

The Hoop-Dee-Doo Show

I went into the Hoop-Dee-Doo not knowing anything about the show so I’m not here to give any spoilers! Here’s a brief baseline: 6 countrified friends entertain guests with singing, dancing, crowd participation and silly fun.

Costumes are colorful and bright. We were able to see everything very well. The singers moved around the room during some parts of the show and it was easy enough to follow the action by turning in my seat. There are breaks in the show to allow you to enjoy your dinner or to make a stop at the bathroom.

Upstairs seating inside Fort Wilderness’ Pioneer Hall

I enjoy musical theater but admit that some shows really drag on with too much boring singing. But not the Hoop-Dee-Doo! The songs are lively and fun and the audience participation is a highlight. Everyone in the crowd was really getting involved with clapping and singing along.

The entertainers were top-notch, just as you’d expect from a high-quality Disney show. Singing was excellent. Dancing and choreography was fun and energetic. There is live music, which adds a fun element.

It’s truly a show for all ages. One look around at the audience and that was plain to see. On our first visit my 13 month old baby daughter enjoyed it as well as anyone there (even though I didn’t let her eat any of the messy BBQ ribs!)

Some might say that teenagers may not enjoy the show but I think it depends upon your kid. My teens truly loved watching this show and I’m so glad I was able to bring them. And unlimited ribs and chicken is a huge draw for hungry teens!

So full we could barely eat any of the strawberry shortcake!

Bottom Line: Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue Review

The big question is, is Hoop Dee Doo Revue worth the cost? True, it’s not cheap (the cost of an adult ticket hovers around $60). When given the cost of other Disney World meals, I do think that this cost is in line.

If I were to go to any other buffet at Disney World with unlimited food, the cost for dinner would be about $50 for Chef Mickey’s. Chef Mickey’s is a character meal and no alcohol is included. Keep in mind that these type of buffet dinners are usually rushed and you might be done within 45-60 minutes.

Given that the Hoop-Dee-Doo has unlimited alcohol as well as a 2-hour dinner show, I’d say that the value is well worth the cost. I highly recommend booking a dinner at Hoop Dee Doo Revue on one of your non-park days.

Ready for fun at the Hoop-Dee-Doo in Walt Disney World.

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